Composite beam structure



March 20, 1934.

A. H. SCHAFFERT COMPOSITE BEAM STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 5, 1931` 1 d kf' inl!! www,

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Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITI-: STATES PATENT` GFFICE 1,951,811 COMPOSITEBEAM STRUCTURE Adolf H. Schaffert, Youngstown,

Ohio, assigner Application August s, 1931, serial No. 554,849

'7l Claims.

The elimination of squeaks in floors and like structures where metalbeams are employed with wood or wood-like nailing strips has become aproblem of serious import. Irrespective of the effectiveness of theseasoning of the strips there is a certain amount of expansion andcontraction that takes place according to the moisture content of theair which has access to the structure. Thus for example in a residencewhere during the summer months the atmosphere at times becomes chargedwith moisture and the heating equipment is not in operation, a certainamount of absorption will take place which will expand the strips. Andagain when the fires are started in the fall, and during the winter thestrips will again dry out and contract. This causes a certain amount ofrelative displacement, not only between the strips and the metal beamscarrying them, but also between the strips and the overlying floors, sothat one walking over the floor will cause a relative movement of theparts, resulting in the aforesaid objectionable squeaks. In addition toseasoning the strips, it has been found that moisture-proofing them isof some considerable assistance, but even this has not been found to bea complete solution of the problem.

The object of the present invention is to provide in combination withthe metal beam and nailing strip, a composition that will substantiallysaturate the strips and will perform a double function. That is to say,it will make the strip substantially moisture-proof, and will alsoprovide a permanent lubricant in the form of a lm that will beinterposed between the strip and the metal, and indeed between the stripand the overlyingr licor, thus further eliminating the danger of squeaksdeveloping through the relative movement of the associated parts.

One embodiment of the invention for carrying the above objects intoeffect is disclosed in the accompanying drawing and described in thefollowing specification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a skeleton joist carryinga nailing strip.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line2--2 of Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross sectional views illustrating the method ofassembling the parts.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional View on an enlarged scale of the nailingstrip.

In the embodiment disclosed, the joist comprises a lower chord '7, anupper chord 8, and a web 56" 9 preferably formed of a rod or bar that iszigzag in form, with its knuckles 10 welded to the upper and lowerchords.

The upper chord 8 is in the form of a channel bar having upstanding sideflanges 11,` and in the embodiment shown provided with integrally insetlugs 12. This channel bar receives the lower portion of a nailing strip13 which may be and preferably is of wood. In the formationA of thestructure the side flanges 11 may be initially arranged in divergentrelation as illustratedinligure 3, allowing the ready introduction ofthe nailing strip 13. The side anges are then pressed to a reversely orinwardly inclined relation and the lugs 12 are embedded in the sides ofthe strip.

The nailing strip 13 is initially made of seasoned wood, its moisturecontent being preferably brought to or below 8 percent. The strip isthen saturated with a composition made up of a mixture by volume of thefollowing ingredients:

Per cent Linseed oil 40 Spar varnish 20 Dryer 10 Naphtha 26 Paraiiin 2If the strip is immersed in this mixture for a period of half an hour,it will be substantially penetrated by the same and become substantiallymoisture-proof. It is however, practically impossible within the expenserequired for commercial purposes to make the strip absolutelymoisture-proof, and therefore there is bound to be some slight expansionand contraction due to the absorption of some amount of moisture, andnotwithstanding the composition. This small amount of alteration I findis however materially taken care of by the fact that the paraffincontent becomes a permanent lubricant and that a fine film is created onthe surfaces of the strip. This lm is illustrated necessarily in anexaggerated form at 14. Apparently moreover the paraffin that iscontained within the wood will have a tendency to work its way to thesurface and thus create a constant supply. This film, being interposednot only between the metal and the wood but obviously also between theupper surface of the nailing strip and overlying flooring, serves toprevent squeaks and will be lasting in its character.

The composition therefore serves a dual function, in that itsubstantially waterproofs the strip and creates an effective body oflubricant, and acts as a non-hardening ingredient in the composition sothat its lubricating function will continue for an indenitely longperiod.

Instead of paraiiin, other suitable waxes may be employed that will havea similar lubricating effeet. For example carnauba waX, Montan wax,stearic acid or tallow may be employed.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without further description, and it will beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. A structural member comprising a metal beam, a nailing strip iixed toand supported by the beam and of a material to permit the entry offasteners and absorb liquid, and a combined moisture-procling andlubricating composition absorbed by the nailing strip and acting as alubricant between the strip and metal beam.

2. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, anailing strip xedly secured in said channel, and a combined moistureproofing and lubricating composition incorporated with the nailing stripand providing a surface coat of lubricant between the strip and metalbeam.

3. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, anailing strip fixedly mounted in said channel, and a compositionincluding a Wax, substantially saturating said beam, said compositionacting as a moisture proofing agent and as a lubricant between thenailing strip and parts engaging the same.

el. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, anailing strip in said channel, means for Xing the strip to the metalbeam, and a composition including approximately 2 percent of wax,substantially saturating said beam, said composition acting as amoisture prooing agent and as a lubricant between the nailing strip andparts engaging the same.

5. A structural member comprising a metal beam having a channel, anailing strip secured in said channel, and a composition comprisinglinseed oil, varnish, dryer, naphtha and a wax, substantially saturatingthe nailing strip.

6. A substantially squeakless structural beam, including a metal body, anailing strip carried thereby and in contact therewith, said strip beingof a material to permit the entry of fasteners and absorb liquid, and acomposition absorbed by said nailing strip and including non-hardeningmoisture proofing and lubricating materials.

7. A substantially squeakless structural beam including a metal body, anailing strip carried thereby and in contact therewith, said strip beingof a material to permit the entry of fasteners and absorb liquid, and acomposition incorporated with said nailing strip and including anonhardening moisture proofing and lubricating wax.

ADOLF H. SCI-IAFFERT.

